Utopia Encuentro 2024: Durham Edition No. 2

Join us at the Durham Armory this May for 4 days of beautiful tandas, warm embraces, and delicious food at the Utopia Encuentro! This year, the Encuentro DJs are: DJ Marcelo Rosensaft (Tel Aviv, Israel), DJ Artur Paulo (Porto, Portugal), DJ Juliana Thutlwa (Germany), DJ Euan Park (Korea), DJ Kipp Chynoweth (New Mexico, USA), DJ Andy Stein (Virginia, USA), and DJ Mark Mindel (North Carolina, USA).

May 16-19, 2024
Venue: The Armory, 212 Foster St, Durham, North Carolina

Description

The Utopia Encuentro is a role-balanced event for tangueros that dance in close embrace throughout the tanda with their partner. A welcoming and safe environment will be maintained by adherence to the códigos of a milonga (see below). The DJ’s will craft tandas using traditional tango music primarily from the Golden Age (1935–1955) to keep you on the floor all night long. And to keep you energized through the weekend there will be appetizers, snacks, and wine served throughout the weekend.

Pre-registration is required – no payment until acceptance.

Pre-registration has closed!

We have hit our event attendance cap! Please check back for our event next year!

Códigos (“codes”, encuentro etiquette)

• Invitation by cabeceo/mirada, only
• Respectful and safe navigation
  • Entering the dance floor with consideration to those already dancing
  • Maintaining the lanes of the ronda (avoid changing lanes)
• Creating a safe environment within the ronda
  • No high boleos, hard-hitting ganchos, jumps, leg sweeps, leg extensions, etc.
  • Close embrace and movements ideal for small spaces
• No teaching on the dance floor
• Clear the dance floor during the cortina
• Please refer to www.siempremilonguero.org for a comprehensive list (with explanations) of the códigos

Pre-requisites

• Ability to stay connected to partner throughout the dance in a comfortable close embrace
• Mastery of own axis and ability to accurately track partner’s axis – no pulling off axis
• Focus on musical expression via compact dance figures rather than flashy moves
• Mastery of floor navigation in order to create a safe dance environment and contribute to the constant and fluid movement of the ronda
• Ease with all general tango repertoire in both parallel and cross systems
• Respect, experience, and working knowledge of the códigos (above)

Milonga Schedule

Thursday – Milonga El Respecto	8:30pm-1am	DJ Mark
Friday – Milonga La Amabilidad	12pm-4:30pm	DJ Juliana
Friday – Milonga La Humildad	8:30pm-1am	DJ Artur
Saturday – Milonga Gratitud	12pm-4:30pm	DJ Euan
Saturday – Milonga La Generosidad	8:30pm-1am	DJ Marcelo
Sunday – Milonga Curiosidad	12pm-4:30pm	DJ Andy
Sunday – Milonga Gozo Total	8:30pm-1am	DJ Kipp

Learn more about our DJs in their Bios

Local Accommodations

The Durham Marriott City Center is directly across the street from the encuentro venue. In addition, three hotels Unscripted Durham, 21c Durham, and The Durham Hotel are all within two walkable blocks of the venue.

These four hotels are in the heart of downtown Durham. Many more options may be found on-line. Local hotels can fill quickly; we encourage tangueros to book early.

Airport

Our local airport is Raleigh-Durham International (RDU). It’s 16 miles from downtown Durham, about a half-hour by taxi/lyft/uber (~$30-50). If you are staying within walking distance from the venue, then you will not need a car – delicious food and cocktails are within easy walking distance.

Cancelation Policy

Your admission is non-transferable.  If you cancel before March 31, 2024, you will receive a full refund.  If you registered as a couple, both registrations will be canceled.

Food and Drinks

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